Plain Language Awards

Celebrate the stories of our clearest business communicators

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Our newest trustee | Nicola Airey


We’re very excited to welcome Nicola Airey as a trustee for the WriteMark Plain English Awards Trust. Nicola joins current trustees Lynda Harris, Wayne Wright, and Nicola Welby.

With her passion for building meaningful brands, helping them grow through clever marketing, and doing good things for the community along the way, Nicola Airey is a fantastic asset to the team.

She’s worked in a wide range of corporate, government, not for profit and community groups, delivering clever strategies that build business, promote the brand, and positively impact the community. This experience, and her expertise in engaging with stakeholders, nurturing sponsorships, and managing events, will be invaluable.

She’s excited to be joining the Awards team — particularly at a time when clear communication and plain language have never been more important.

‘It is a privilege to be part of the Awards Trust, supporting the improvement of language to improve lives. If we can build the Awards, and more importantly, the profile of the importance of plain language across Aotearoa New Zealand, we can make such a difference. The stories shared by previous award winners of how they have influenced change inspire others. We need more businesses to understand that plain language isn’t a fad. It delivers bottom line benefit and customer experience.’

And Nicola knows what it takes to introduce plain language to an organisation and keep the momentum up. Plain language has always been core to her strategies for communications and customer engagement. At Medical Assurance Society (MAS) she introduced and oversaw a significant programme of work to bring plain language into focus. This effort was recognised when MAS won a number of categories in the 2022 Plain Language Awards.

We’re excited to have Nicola joining us as we take the next steps on our journey to grow the Plain Language Awards.

 

Welcome, Nicola!
The Plain Language Awards team

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A fond farewell to our longstanding trustee and chair | Gregory Fortuin


This year we farewell Gregory Fortuin as Chair of the WriteMark Plain English Awards Trust with bucketfuls of gratitude. A staunch supporter of the Awards for years, Gregory has decided it’s time to pass the mantle of Chair on to someone new.

Gregory has always had a passion for making a difference and helping people to transform their lives for the better. A wonderful spokesperson for the Awards on many occasions, Gregory knows how to get straight to the point. Poor communication disadvantages people. Plain language breaks down barriers and makes for a more equitable society.

Gregory continues to serve on many boards and trusts, both in business and in the community. You’ll likely continue to hear him in the media commenting on important issues that affect us all.

We are so grateful for everything Gregory has done for the Plain Language Awards as trustee, chair, plain language advocate and friend. We wish him well on the next part of his journey.

 

Kia ora Gregory
The Plain Language Awards team

Posted In: Communications

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